Cuomo Approves Justice Center Legislation

Gov. Andrew Cuomo this evening has signed into law a measure that would create a new system of reporting abuse and neglect within facilities, homes and programs for the developmentally disabled.

The legislation was also approved alongside the extension of Jonathan’s Law, a measure that allows parents or the guardians to obtain records relating to the investigation of abuse and neglect of their children.

The Justice Center legislation was one of Cuomo’s key legislative priorities in 2012 following the approval of the state budget. The law was proposed following a spate of abuse stories in homes and facilities for the developmentally disabled that went unreported to law enforcement and other authorities.

The major components of the Justice Center law will take effect June 30 of next year.

The Republican-led Senate had immediately passed the legislation earlier in the year, but Democrats in the Assembly balked over concerns that the bill’s language did not include enough independent oversight.

The measures were among a dozen or so signed into law by Cuomo right before a deadline for approving them.

Cuomo also issued vetoes of an historic tax credit and a measure that would have extended the Catskill off-track gaming region to New York City, as expected.